IKONGA!

4

A feeling of dread came upon them all.

The drums of death kept beating relentlessly matching the tempo of how fast their hearts were pounding. The horn of summoning spirits was sounding loud as ever and it momentarily drowned the sound of the drums.

Boom boom boom boom boom!

The fast and resounding beats of the drum could be heard.The drums were beaten in the village when someone was in a near death moment. They were a foreboding of death calling upon the villagers to witness their fellow villager's departure and the horn was to call upon the spirit helpers of the Ozuna to accompany the soul to join the forefathers.

Wails could be heard breaking the silence of the night.

Someone was dying.

But who?

Kona tried to stand but immediately his legs gave way beneath him and he fell. He hated how weak he felt. He hated it so much.His mother immediately came to his side and held him down.

"Kona you are not in good shape,lie down" she turned to Kulo "clear everything away and bring your brother his sleeping mat and head bolster" then to Kukola "Bring him some water,his lips look parched" There was a slight tremor in her voice as she gave them the instructions.

"Mama we have to go, everybody should gather we cannot miss it...!" Kona tried getting but the effects of his painful episode had him a bit off balance the minute he sat up.

"No we will go but you shall remain here you need your rest" Mama told him.

"But Mama I feel much better I..."

"You need not to debate with your mother on this one young prince, we all saw what happened. We have yet to figure out what happened to you but I am sure your absence will be understood by the elders once we explain ourselves now rest" Kukola intefered Kona in his effort to explain himself.

" I never agree with Kukola on almost anything kaka but now I do. You really scared me you know. It was creepy how the muscles in your arms were all bunched up, you were breathing so fast,eyes screwed closed, grunting in pain, sweating like hell, muttering nothings and I didn't know what to do and then all of a sudden you collapsed and then...."

"Enough Kulo! he gets it" Mama cut off Kulo's ranting. "Kona stay, tomorrow we will go see Chechondu to know what all of this is about. Kulo,Kukola get Kona the things I asked you and let us get going, I have a bad feeling about this gathering"

A few moments later they had everything ready and Mama, Kulo and Kukola were on their way out the hut.

Mama planted a kiss on Kona's forehead "Stay safe, we will be back before you know it" she said to Kona and got up to leave. Just when they were about to leave a shuffling of feet was heard outside and a knock on the door followed.

"Who is it?" Kukola enquired.

"It is Tchibasu, the village messanger. I have been requested to come and call you as fast as possible. Your presence is needed at the gathering the victim is of your family tree I believe hence the urgency of the request".

The information brought a wave of shock through Mama. She suddenly felt weak and held the wall for support.Her head wear dropped and she made no effort to pick it up. Usually as the King's prized wife she would care but for now it did not seem important. A realization had hit her.

Njobu!

"Erm...my Queen I repeat your presence is needed immediately and if possible that of the young prince too, his healing gifts might be of utmost help" Tchibasu added.

Kona did not miss any of this but how he could be of help in his current state was a bit of troubling for him. Oh how he wished he could get up.

"My Queen, may I remind you how urgently your presence is needed. It is of..."

"We have heard you,now leave!" Kukola interupted the poor messanger.

"Grandmama last time I checked you were not Mama, you were her Mama" Kulo thought it wise to inform Kukola. The glare he received told him that it was definitely unwise.Kukola turned to Mama.

"Raha my dear, I think it is best we get going. Kona can not be of use in his shape we will worsen his condition if we choose to let him accompany us."

"You are right Kukola let us get going" Mama replied in a whisper she was still processing the information and didn't think she was prepared to see what she was going to meet. For some reason her feet felt heavy when she tried to move them. Kukola offered her hand to aid her walk while both of them looked like they needed help. One because of ageing and the other because she would collapse at anytime.

Kulo was contemplating who to help and in the end decided it was best to help Mama first. To hell with Kukola and her glares she already had a stick to help her right? and Mama didn't have anything. Besides Kukola always claims she was fit as a fiddle. After his praise worthy evaluation he walked over to Mama and helped her out.

Kukola looked down at him and gave him an appreciative but toothless smile "It seems you are learning manners, good! very good!" Ha! Kukola thought he was trying to be well mannered by assisting her with Mama clearly he killed two birds with one stone. He was so proud of himself. Poor Kukola!

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Short chapter and a bit boring? I know ;)

What did you think?

Let me know.....

Get ready to meet the elders and the King Onkwaba...wait there's one more :) I have a feeling you will like Chechondu he kind of reminds me of Rafiki in Lion King. It's all in the following chapters!

Until next time then!

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With much love,

your Ikonga story teller.